In Bed With The Right Episode 94 -- Phyllis Schlafly, Part 1
Sep 16, 2025
Dive into the fascinating life of Phyllis Schlafly, the far-right influencer who reshaped conservative politics. Discover how she politicized anti-feminism to derail the Equal Rights Amendment and her connections to groups like the John Birch Society. Uncover her early life in Depression-era St. Louis and how WWII shifted gender roles. Learn about her rise from pamphleteer to a key figure in the Republican Party, including her role in Goldwater's campaign and the grassroots anti-communism movement. It's a compelling look at a pivotal figure in American conservatism.
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Schlafly's Party-Shaping Influence
- Phyllis Schlafly transformed fringe far-right ideas into mainstream Republican power by politicizing anti-feminism and anti-communism.
- Her Stop ERA campaign converted cultural resentment into durable party realignment that shaped Reagan and Trump eras.
Macho Foreign Policy, Feminine Rhetoric
- Schlafly fused a macho foreign‑policy hawkishness with a feminine domestic rhetoric to broaden her appeal.
- She pushed maximalist anti‑communism and nuclear-first postures while selling traditional gender roles at home.
Anti‑Communism As Moral Crusade
- 'Grassroots anti‑communism' packaged communism as a feminizing, corrupting force attacking American independence and the New Deal.
- Schlafly used this framing to mobilize ordinary women via newsletters and local activism.
